You may have seen articles stating caffeine is bad and advising to avoid drinking coffee; and then other articles indicating that it’s a functional health beverage. More recent research has found that not everyone processes it equally and depending on your genetics, you may be a slow caffeine metabolizer or a fast caffeine metabolizer.
If you are a slow metabolizer, you may be more likely to feel negative side effects from drinking caffeinated coffee, including jittery anxiousness and energy crashes. Fast metabolizers can tolerate higher amounts. If you know someone who drinks coffee right before bed, they are probably a fast metabolizer.
If you are a slow caffeine metabolizer, or are simply just looking for something different than coffee for a boost of energy, here are a few alternatives to drinking coffee:
Mushroom “Coffee”
Mushroom coffee contains medicinal mushrooms shown to improve working memory and even has immune-modulating effects (3). Companies have formulated these dried mushrooms into a powder designed to mix with hot water—similar to instant coffee. The result is a creamy coffee-like beverage. You can buy them with or without instant coffee. Either way, you will be getting less caffeine than from a standard cup of Joe, with improved brain benefits.
Cordyceps
Cordyceps are a type of medicinal mushroom known to improve energy, stamina, and heart health, and reduce oxidative stress and aging. They were first discovered by observance of animals eating fungus in the wild, and then used by farmers and herders for an energy boost (4). You can find it in mushroom coffee, mushroom tea, or in supplemental form.
Matcha Green Tea
Matcha is a type of powdered green tea known to create an earthy, creamy beverage. You may have heard of matcha green tea lattes, which are made from matcha powder, a little sugar, and milk—of course you can omit the sugar if you’re okay with its earthy flavor profile. It has a moderate amount of caffeine for a slight energy boost without the crash. Green tea also contains L-theanine, an amino acid phytonutrient that counteracts the cortisol-increasing effects of caffeine, allowing for more calmness rather than spikes and crashes.
Fermented Ginseng
Fermented Ginseng, an adaptogenic herb, has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for many years. Specifically, Asian Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is known for creating an uplifting effect for the nervous system while fighting against stress. Some say it can lessen the jittery effect from coffee. An analysis of multiple double-blind and single-blind randomized, placebo-controlled trials revealed improvements in quality of life, cognitive function, and behavior when taking supplemental fermented ginseng (6).
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Our easy-to-absorb Fermented Ginseng helps your body respond to the effects of everyday stress, supports immune health, and may help with mild memory loss associated with aging.*
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is partially responsible for DNA and nervous system functioning. If you’re deficient, supplementation or just overall increased consumption of vitamin B12-rich foods may give you an energy boost. One study even showed depression and vitamin B12 deficiency to be linked (7). Animal products, including fish, meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products, all contain vitamin B12.
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